Categories

Meta

Author: Admin

On August 15th, 2018 your Union filed a group grievance under article 15.06{profit sharing}. It has come to our attention that the company has not been sending us the proper information when it comes to statements of income. After bringing it to the company’s attention and getting no response the grievance was filed. This was discussed at the 3rd step meeting held on Aug 21,2018 and the company has 15 days to respond.

It has come to the attention of your Union that the company has been making employees use their vacation days for Personal Leave of Absences. On August 15th a grievance was filed with the company on this matter. Members are encouraged to contact a shop steward or executive member or email m.day@usw5890.com if this has happened to you.

The United States has opened a new battleground in its trade war with the world, announcing preliminary anti-dumping duties on large-diameter welded pipe from Canada and five other countries.

The U.S. is to immediately begin collecting 24.38 per cent cash deposits on imports from Canada that were worth almost US$180 million in 2017, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced on Tuesday.

The other countries being hit with duties are China, Greece, India, Korea, and Turkey, with penalties ranging from 3.45 per cent for Turkey to more than 132 per cent for China.

India is the only country on the list that had greater exports of the pipe to the U.S. in 2017 than Canada, at $295 million US.

The decision is “disappointing” but it affects only one of his members, said Joe Galimberti, president of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, which represents the $15-billion primary steel production industry here.

The Quebec government is setting aside almost $900 million for companies affected by tariffs recently imposed on Canada by the United States.

Premier Philippe Couillard says his government will make $863 million available over five years in direct investments, tax subsidies and training.

U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on imported steel and 10 per cent tariffs on imported aluminum from many countries including Canada, which has retaliated with tariffs of its own.

The provincial money will go towards offering companies liquidity to continue their activities, and to reduce contributions small and medium-sized companies have to make to the province’s heath services fund.

Quebec’s plan also aims to increase investment in the agricultural sector and it sets aside $55 million for labour-related programs.

Couillard says the five-year financial package is expected to spur $3 billion for the Quebec economy over the same period.

“We are living an exceptional experience that demands an exceptional response,” Couillard said.

“Evraz North America welcomes the actions by the Government of Canada towards initiating a domestic Safeguard action. This Safeguard is essential to stabilize Canada’s domestic steel market, especially for energy tubular products, with the goal that Canadian producers and steel workers are not further harmed by dramatic increases in offshore steel imports. “

“In addition to consultations, the USW continues to call for Canadian trade unions to have the right to initiate trade complaints,” emphasized Neumann.

The dumping of steel on the international market by countries including China, South Korea, Turkey and Vietnam has been a problem for the North American steel industry and workers for a number of years.

Once U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum earlier this year, it was obvious the Canadian government would need to take strong action to avoid increased and specific dumping into Canada as a result.

In addition to fighting the imposition of U.S. tariffs onto Canada, the Steelworkers have consistently insisted that measures need to be taken by our federal government to protect Canada from further dumping as an indirect avenue into the American market.

“Today the federal government has taken a needed step towards aiding and safeguarding the Canadian steel industry. We welcome it and look forward to further measures to aid this essential Canadian industry,” added Neumann.

OTTAWA — The federal government will announce the start of consultations Tuesday on how best to address concerns that cheaper foreign steel is entering the Canadian market, industry representatives say.

Jesse Goldman, a lawyer representing the Canadian Coalition for Construction Steel, says the group has been informed by federal officials that Finance Minister Bill Morneau will make the announcement during an event at the ArcelorMittal Dofasco steelmaker’s offices in Hamilton, Ont.

Canada’s Border Services Agency (CBSA) released a statement on Aug. 10 that they have begun an investigation into dumping of “corrosion-resistant steel sheets” (COR) by Taiwan and other nations onto the Canadian market.

According to the announcement, the CBSA received a formal complaint from the company ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. on June 5 alleging that imports of COR were being unfairly dumped onto the Canadian market by the Taiwan, in addition to China, Hong Kong, Macau India and South Korea.

Referring to Taiwan as a “Separate Customs Territory,” the Canadian Border Services Agency even uses the terminology of the International Olympic Committee “Chinese Taipei” to refer to the country in the document.

According to the CBSA, there is “a reasonable indication that the dumping of (COR) has caused injury and/or is threatening to cause injury to the Canadian industry producing like goods.”

The CBSA subsequently began an investigation into the matter on July 28, and is now requesting information from all potential importers and exporters of COR for the period between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018 to be analyzes by the agency.

A preliminary ruling is expected to be made before Oct. 24, 2018, according to the announcement. If the imports indicate harmful dumping of COR, a subsequent determination on the scope and potential anti-dumping duties will be announced within 120 days of the preliminary ruling.

Stelco Holdings Inc. is poised to benefit from the steel tariff battle between Canada and the United States because as much as 85 per cent of the steel it makes is sold in Canada and not subject to tariffs.

“Trade cases are tightening the market here in Canada and giving us a good opportunity,” Stelco chief executive officer Alan Kestenbaum told analysts on the company’s second-quarter financial results conference call on Wednesday. “We will continue to focus on Canada. That includes potentially benefiting from demand created by declining sales of U.S.-produced steel into Canada due to Canada’s recently implemented 25 per cent tariffs against U.S.-made steel.”

Stelco, which emerged from protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act about a year ago, will also gain from trade cases Canada has launched against China, South Korea, Vietnam and other countries on cold rolled steel and corrosion resistant steel, Mr. Kestenbaum said.

Safeguard trade actions that the federal government is considering to block countries from shipping steel into the United States through Canada will also help, he said.

“These safeguards seal the border” and should convince the United States that cheap steel is not being diverted to the U.S. market through Canada, he said.

He noted that Stelco’s upgrades of its cold mill coincide with the trade actions and “will expand our presence and product capability in the cold rolled steel market – now the most profitable market on a per ton basis in our portfolio.”

Effects of a trade war sparked by the Trump administration’s recent tariffs on various imported materials and products continue to unfold.

The U.S. imposed tariffs on steel, aluminum and other goods from Canada, Mexico and the European Union in early June and on China in early July. These countries imposed tariffs on U.S. goods in retaliation.

The impact of steel and aluminum tariffs is particularly strong and far-reaching. Media reports say there is little foreign steel and aluminum coming into the U.S. now, allowing domestic producers to hike their prices.

Corey Sheets, co-owner of Meadows Mills Inc. in North Wilkesboro, said American steel manufacturers started raising prices when tariffs were simply mentioned. Plate steel prices are up 30 per cent and structural steel prices rose 20 per cent recently, he said.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s point man on trade is doubling down on the decision to impose tariffs on Canadian steel, calling Canada’s industry a national security threat to the United States.

Under pointed questioning from a Senate committee, U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer is testifying today about the administration’s trade policy and 2019 budget.

Lighthizer is adamant that Canadian steel remains a national security threat to the United States requiring the tariffs imposed earlier this year.

He says no one in the administration is declaring war on Canada or calling the country an unfriendly neighbour.

If the Americans want to protect their domestic steel and aluminum industry, he says the administration can’t exempt one country like Canada and allow steel to flow through its borders and into the United States.

Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on a slew of American products this month after Trump slapped tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.

OTTAWA, July 26, 2018 /CNW/ – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that it is launching an investigation into whether or not certain corrosion-resistant steel sheet originating in or exported from China, Chinese Taipei, India and South Korea is being sold at unfair prices in Canada.

The investigation is the result of a complaint filed by ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P., located in Hamilton, Ontario. The complaint is supported by Stelco Inc. The complainant alleges that the Canadian industry is facing increasing volumes of dumped subject goods, lost sales, price undercutting, price depression, negative financial results, underutilized production capacity, reduced employment, and threat to continuous investments.

Currently, there are 101 special import measures in force, covering a wide variety of products, from steel to refined sugar. These measures have directly helped to protect the Canadian economy and jobs in Canada.

Quick Facts

The subject goods are corrosion-resistant flat-rolled steel sheet products of carbon steel including products alloyed with certain elements. For more product information, please refer to the CBSA’s website.

Corrosion-resistant steel sheet is commonly used in the production of a range of goods such as farm buildings, grain bins, culverts, garden sheds, roofing material, siding, floor decks, roof decks, wall studs, drywall corner beads, doors, door frames, ducting (and other heating and cooling applications), flashing, hardware products and appliance components. Corrosion-resistant steel sheet for use in automobiles and automobile parts is not included in this investigation.

The CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal(CITT) both play a role in the investigation. The CITT will begin a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming Canadian producers and will issue a decision by September 24, 2018.

Concurrently, the CBSA will investigate whether the imports are being sold in Canadaat unfair prices, and will make a preliminary decision by October 24, 2018.

A copy of the Statement of Reasons, which provides more details about the investigation, will be available on the CBSA’s website at cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsiwithin 15 days.

To address the evolving nature of trade and to ensure the well-being of industries like steel that are essential to the Canadian economy, Canadais modernizing its trade remedy system. As part of our commitment, the CBSA is working to strengthen our trade remedy systems, improve transparency and coordinate our efforts against unfair trade practices.

In 2017, the Canadian steel industry employed more than 23,000 Canadians and contributed $4.2 billionto Canada’sgross domestic product (GDP). The Canadian aluminum industry employed 10,500 workers while contributing $4.7 billion to Canada’s These industries are vital suppliers to the Canadian manufacturing, energy, automotive and construction industries.

An appeals court has ruled against a company that fired an employee for failing a drug test. The judgment by the Newfoundland & Labrador Court of Appeal is the first since Parliament voted to legalize marijuana.

Justice Gale Welsh dismissed an appeal by the Hibernia Platform Employers’ Organization over the firing of Gary Carroll, a longtime helicopter deck hand on a Hibernia rig. Carroll tested positive for banned tranquilizers under a company Drug And Alcohol Policy permitting tests “after a significant incident or a safety incident as determined by management.” The test followed repeated complaints of misplaced luggage aboard choppers that ferried crew from the offshore platform.

Unifor Local 2121 challenged Carroll’s firing as disproportionate, and the drug test as unnecessary. An arbitration board and lower court agreed, ruling misplaced luggage was not so serious a “safety incident” that it justified testing all eight helicopter deck hands on duty. Unifor argued managers conducted so many drug tests after trivial incidents that it “amounted to random drug testing” in breach of a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that tests could only be performed with cause and consent.

“The employer submits that the board’s decision was unreasonable because the interpretation of the Drug And Alcohol Policy resulted in an interference with management’s right to order drug testing,” wrote Justice Welsh. The Court dismissed the company’s appeal.

The Senate by a June 19 vote of 52 to 29 passed into law Bill C-45 An Act Respecting Cannabis. The legislation to take effect October 17 legalizes recreational marijuana, including public possession of up to 30 grams of dried cannabis. Employers’ groups unsuccessfully appealed to Parliament to amend the bill to permit random workplace drug tests. Continue reading Court against company that fired worker over drug test results

Some of the largest companies in America are reporting that they are suffering the sting of the Trump administration’s trade war, sounding alarm in an otherwise prosperous economy.

Midway through the corporate earnings season, companies across a broad array of industries are citing tariffs, particularly those imposed on aluminum and steel, as the culprit for lower profits, higher prices for consumers and even sweeping changes in their planning and operations, such as moving production out of China.

Goods as varied as whiskey and My Little Pony, washing machines and Maseratis are caught in the crossfire of a trade war that has brewed for months. Since March, Trump has levied tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of steel and aluminum imports from China, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, Japan and other nations. He is also threatening to impose tariffs on cars and uranium.

Some worry that the tariffs could disrupt a healthy economy that, so far, has kept an even keel amid President Trump’s Twitter storms, a rise in oil prices and anticipation that the Federal Reserve will keep notching up interest rates. Despite Washington’s chaos, reliably strong corporate earnings have provided a ballast in U.S. financial markets since the prospect of a trade war emerged. Continue reading Top American brands say trade war is eating into their profits

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of our Brother Tim Weisgerber. Tim was a great Friend, co-worker and brother who started in Tubular in 1991. Tim will be missed by all who knew him.Our condolences and thoughts are with his Family and Friends. Brothers and Sisters, please take the time to remember our fallen brother. Rest In Peace Timmy!!!

OTTAWA, July 24, 2018 /CNW/ – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today retroactive assessments of anti-dumping duty on importations of steel rebar from Turkey under the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA). SIMA helps to protect Canadian producers from injurious dumping and is one of Canada’s principal trade policy instruments.

On July 18, 2018, the CBSA issued assessments of anti-dumping duty against two importations of steel rebar from Turkeythat arrived in Canada in 2017. The total amount of anti-dumping duty retroactively assessed by the CBSA was over $1.8 million.

Recent regulatory changes and allocated funding will allow the CBSA to continue to strengthen its capacity to investigate trade-related complaints, including those related to steel and aluminum.

The CBSA reminds exporters of goods subject to a SIMA finding that they must inform the CBSA of changes to their domestic prices, costs, and market conditions associated with the goods and should adjust their selling prices to Canada accordingly. Failure to do so may result in the retroactive assessment of anti-dumping duty under SIMA.

Quote

“The Government of Canada is working hard to ensure that Canada’s trade remedy measures are properly enforced. SIMA measures currently help protect 27,000 Canadian jobs and $9.9 billion in Canadian production.”

Your Union is looking for anyone interested in joining their respective department Shift, Seniority and Overtime committee’s. Anyone interested is asked to email m.day@usw5890.com. Currently the Steel Division is Brad Gibbons and Bill Edwards and we would like to fill with members from other areas. The Tubular Division is Dwayne Mitchell, Mike Smith and Ryan Mckenzie and even though we would like to fill from members from the 2 inch or 24 inch specifically, everyone interested will be looked at.

Canada is considering both quotas and tariffs to stop a spike in imports of foreign steel being diverted from the U.S. by Donald Trump’s trade policies, the industry minister said.

Navdeep Bains, speaking by phone from the Farnborough International Airshow, said Justin Trudeau’s government is weighing so-called safeguard measures to curb the influx of cheap foreign steel and could expand the list of products as needed. It previously identified three — energy tubular, steel plates and rebar — but the minister said that was only a first step.

“We did that based on the data and the information that we have” Bains said Monday. “That by no means is the final list so we’ll look at what option, either tariff or quotas, that we need.”

Canada is among the countries on the front lines of Trump’s trade fight, having imposed retaliatory tariffs on C$16.6 billion ($12.6 billion) worth of American goods after the U.S. imposed levies of 25 percent and 10 percent on steel and aluminum, respectively. Canada is the top source of U.S. imports of both metals, and the world’s top buyer of U.S. goods. The northern nation has already taken steps to choke off any steel sneaking in for “transshipment” to the U.S., and safeguard quotas or tariffs would be the next step in that.

Bains said the initial three products were selected as a “demonstration of our understanding” of what was happening in the market already. Rebar, for instance, is used in residential construction, where some are warning the tariff fight could increase condo prices. The minister said he’s in talks with the steel sector on next steps and didn’t specify when any measures would be imposed.

Industry is pushing the government to move more quickly, and on more products. “We believe the government should be taking immediate and strong action and we believe the initial initiation of the safeguard should be fairly broad in scope,” Joseph Galimberti, president of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, said in a phone interview. In addition to the three products already identified, he said the government should add hot rolled sheet, pre-paint and wire rod.

The Federal Court of Appeal in a win for Canadian steelmakers has rejected a challenge of anti-dumping duties by Asian exporters. The Court said Chinese-made steel pipe transshipped through other countries could not evade duties.

“The final determination is made in relation to goods of a certain country and not goods of a certain exporter,” wrote Justice Wyman Webb; “The term ‘exporter’ is not defined in the Special Import Measures Act.”

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal in 2016 cited Japanese traders for dumping steel originating from state-owned mills in China. The Tribunal argued it “was important to look behind the transactions to see who knowingly provided the goods in issue for export to Canada,” the Court noted.

“The goods were dumped during the period under review, and the margin of dumping for the same period was not insignificant,” wrote Justice Webb. The Canada Border Services Agency beginning in 2008 imposed anti-dumping duties of up to 396 percent on Chinese steel products as a threat to Canadian manufacturers.

The 2016 duties were unsuccessfully challenged by a coalition of Japanese exporters including Nippon Steel, JFE Steel, Sumitomo Metal Corp. and others. Local steelmakers that sought the anti-dumping duties included Evraz Inc., a steel pipe manufacturer with facilities in Regina, Red Deer and Camrose, Alta.

Evraz CEO Conrad Winkler in 2017 testimony at the Commons trade committee said price-cutting by Chinese mills had cost Canadian jobs. “Free trade must be fair,” said Winkler.

“China has heavily subsidized and overbuilt its steel industry,” said Winkler. “China has more than 60 percent of the global steel overcapacity, and exports more than ten times the soze of the Canadian market annually.”

“Evraz has suffered job losses due to dumped and subsidized Chinese steel,” said Winkler; “We have to be at the top of our game every day to make a very small margin.”

The Court of Appeal decision follows an earlier ruling by the Trade Tribunal that cited South Korean shippers for price-cutting on steel pipe. Korean imports to Canada increased 580 percent in a single year, 2016, after regulators cited Chinese steel mills for similar unfair trade practices.

Canada has run a trade deficit in steel since 1996. National steel output as a portion of world production has fallen by half in the past 20 years.The Tribunal found the flood of Asian imports triggered a 22 percent price drop in steel product.

Based on the current Coil situation the company is going to be using the 3 day layoff clause {Article 12.13} in the 2″ mill on Wed July 11th- July 12th and resume welding on July 16th.

The 24” will be out of Coil Wednesday mid-morning, at this point they have enough WIP to work through to get us to our Thursday coil delivery additionally management will be re-directing some 24” finishing bodies to cut Curve sets outside the lab to ease the large quantity of samples waiting to be cut in front of the lab.